few LIFE 

FOR 

THE TOUNG PEOPLE'S 
BIBLE CLASS 



BY 
HENRIETTA HERON 




Class l ^VlSgP 

Boole _ 

CkpigM 



CQEXRIGHT DEPOSffi 



NEW LIFE 

FOR 

The Young People's 
Bible Class 



BY 

Henrietta Heron 




CINCINNATI 

THE STANDARD PUBLISHING COMPANY 



Copyright, 1921 
The Standard Publishing Company 






DEC -7 7! 



©GLA653036 



To 

the three best brothers 

any sister ever 

had— 

§My Own 



"I came that they may 
have life, and may have 
it abundantly." 

—John 10:10. 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

Preface _ 7 

I. 
The Need of New Life 11 

II. 

New Life through Reorganization 16 

in. 

A Live Leader. 22 

IV. 
New Life through New Officers 31 

V. 
Live Team-work 35 

VI. 
A Live Democratic Election 41 

VII. 

A Live Monthly Business Meeting 44 

VIII. 
New Life through Variety 50 

IX. 
What Live Classes Are Doing 54 

X. 

A Live Member 57 

5 



CONTENTS 



XI. 
New Life through Definite Goals. 60 

XII. 
A Visible End 63 

XIII. 
Live Contests 66 

XIV. 
New Life with New Members 70 

XV. 
Live Advertising 73 

XVI. 
New Social Life 76 

xvn. 

A Live Service Program 80 

XVHI. 
New Life through a Live Department 85 

XIX. 
New Life through Community Co-operation. 89 

XX. 
A Live Sunday Session 92 

XXI. 
The Lesson Attraction 96 

xxn. 

New Life through New Vision 107 

xxm. 

New Life through Prayer Ill 

XXIV. 

The One Thing Needful 114 

6 



PREFACE 

THE organized young people's Bible- 
class movement is no longer new. It 
has stood the test of thorough experimen- 
tation and has been proved to meet, in an 
ideal way, present-day needs for Bible 
study and training in Christian service. 
But the organized class, like other organ- 
izations, is constantly meeting new con- 
ditions. 

A few years ago, when the organized 
Bible-class idea was new, large classes of 
young people were found here, there and 
everywhere. Many of these classes ran up 
into the hundreds, some even attaining a 
membership of thousands. That such 
classes are not so numerous now is a cause 
7 



PREFACE 



for discouragement on the part of some. 
In reality it reveals an encouraging situ- 
ation of which every class may take ad- 
vantage. 

The reason that it is more difficult to 
build up and maintain a class of remark- 
able size is not that plans are less work- 
able, that the organized-class idea is less 
attractive, that young people are less in- 
terested, but because there is keener com- 
petition through a larger number of 
classes formed to meet various ages, inter- 
ests and abilities. In the early days of 
the organized Bible-class movement, fre- 
quently there was but one class in an en- 
tire community, and effort was made, and 
usually successfully, to secure the attend- 
ance of all the young people in town, re- 
gardless of their church affiliation. One 
organized class in each school in the com- 
munity was the next step, and this, too, 
8 



PREFACE 



meant classes of large membership. Now 
classes are graded and divided and special- 
ized to meet varying ages and needs. 

A larger understanding of the purpose 
and needs and opportunities of the Sun- 
day school as a whole, and of the organ- 
ized class for young people in particular, 
has brought about still other changes. Ad- 
vanced educational standards are putting 
new emphasis on new phases of the work 
and new ways of doing it. Some classes 
have failed to see the significance of the 
new conditions in which they find them- 
selves and have yielded to discouragement 
" because things are not as they once 
were.' , Many classes feel the need of- 
readjustment of plans. "We need new 
life" is a common expression. 

Changing conditions which bring about 
unsettlement also present new opportuni- 
ties. It is to help classes take advantage 
9 



PREFACE 



of the new and larger opportunities pre- 
sented by changing conditions that this 
little book is published. 

On each subject, under the heading 
"Things to Do," is given a list of prac- 
tical plans. No list is complete; each is 
intended rather to be suggestive, the plans 
to be used as " starters." As plans are 
studied, some will suggest themselves as 
applicable to one class, some to another, 
but all are intended to awaken initiative 
and arouse to action. 

The plans suggested have been tested 
and proved, and, rightly applied, will put 
new life into any class. 



10 



L 

THE NEED OF NEW LIFE 

One of the most vital lessons life has 
to teach us is the importance of adjusting 
ourselves to ever-changing conditions. We 
either readjust ourselves to new conditions 
in such a way as to rise above them, attain 
mastery over them, and bring success out 
of them, or we weakly yield and let them 
control or crush us. 

We live in a world of change and un- 
rest. Each day's circumstances are differ- 
ent, frequently calling for change of plans 
to meet them in the best way. Our tools 
wear out and need repairing or substitu- 
tion of better ones. Advancing science 
and inventions offer quicker and more 
11 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



skillful ways of doing old tasks. Ad- 
justment and readjustment to constantly- 
changing circumstances and conditions are 
essential if we are to progress. This is 
equally true in the life of the organized 
Bible class of young people. 

The organized Bible-class movement is 
no longer new. It has stood the test of 
thorough experimentation and has been 
proved to meet, in an ideal way, present- 
day needs for Bible study and training in 
Christian service. But the organized class, 
like individuals and other organizations, 
is constantly meeting new conditions. In 
some classes, in even so short a time as a 
year, almost the entire personnel of the 
class changes. Ofttimes a class becomes 
unwieldy through sudden and large in- 
crease in membership. Again, methods 
which worked admirably when the class 
was new no longer attract. Teachers and 
12 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

officers change, and at times it seems as 
if we could count on no permanent basis 
on which to work. Many classes grow dis- 
couraged, thinking, because things are not 
as they once were, there is no use to con- 
tinue. When a class reaches a stage like 
this, it reaches a crisis. The danger, how- 
ever, is not in the changed conditions, but 
in the attitude the class takes toward the 
conditions and the way it reacts to them. 
Classes reaching this stage usually con- 
sider their situation as peculiar to their 
own locality, when in reality it is a natural 
condition, common to all working bodies, 
one to be expected, one to be rightly met, 
and one which offers large opportunity for 
advancement and growth. 

Business houses are ever alert to take 

advantage of changing conditions. They 

"size up the situation " and devise plans 

to make the most of it. They recognize 

13 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



changing circumstances as a challenge to 
bigger and better things rather than a 
cause for discouragement. Least of all do 
they waste energy and dissipate interest 
and enthusiasm in idly bemoaning the fact 
that things are not as they used to be. 
They frequently find reorganization to some 
degree essential to increased efficiency. 
They overhaul the old machine and make 
it equal to the new tasks, or they discard 
it and invest in a brand-new, up-to-date 
model ; they see to it that they do all neces- 
sary to "keep on going on." 

An understanding of constantly chang- 
ing conditions in the organized young peo- 
ple's Bible class, with corresponding read- 
justment of plans, is essential to highest 
success. 

The important thing in classwork is 
that we go forward. No class has ideal 
circumstances under which to work, no 
14 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

class can depend upon the same group of 
workers all the time, no class can expect 
the same kind and degree of success at 
every stage of the way. Changing con- 
ditions are ever to be reckoned with, and 
are to be recognized as a natural factor of 
class life and not something peculiar and 
discouraging to any one class. The im- 
portant thing is not to give way to dis- 
couragement, but to meet the new condi- 
tions with new plans, new zeal, new effort, 
new enthusiasm that will put new life into 
the class and bring new success. 



15 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



II. 

NEW LIFE THPOUGH REORGAN- 
IZATION 

A class sometimes finds itself facing 
problems that can be solved only through 
reorganization. Many a class has had new 
life injected into it by a complete over- 
hauling of the class machine, which makes 
possible a new start. The necessity of 
reorganization does not by any means indi- 
cate failure; it may be necessitated by 
marked success. A very large increase in 
membership, through a successful contest, 
may make necessary complete reorganiza- 
tion in order to utilize all the new talent. 
16 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Some of the conditions under which a 
class may consider reorganizing as a means 
of securing a new lease on life are: 

A sudden increase in membership. 

An unexpected loss of members. 

A name that has become unsuited to 
the class personnel, or which the class has 
outgrown. 

A careless manner of financing the 



A lack of grading according to age. 

An undesirable reputation for one thing 
or another which the class no longer de- 
serves. 

A set of officers who refuse to work. 

A desire to separate a mixed class, and 
make two classes out of it. 

A set of officers who are using the class 
to promote some pet hobby. 

Any of the above, or any other un- 
usual or unsatisfactory condition, may call 
17 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



for complete or partial reorganization of 
the class. Thorough overhauling of the 
class machine, or reorganization, is far 
better than giving way to discouragement, 
or being buried in a rut, or allowing the 
class to become unwieldy, or to disband. 

Reorganization opens the way to take 
on a new lease of life. It affords the oppor- 
tunity to profit by past mistakes; to make 
the most of methods which have proved 
successful; to establish a new reputation; 
to rebuild, as it were, the class on a new, 
strong, safe foundation. 

Reorganization may be radical, calling 
for a general disbandment and a new start 
with new name, new officers, new methods, 
or it may be modified in varying degree. 
It may mean the division of one class into 
two, as in the case of a mixed class desir- 
ing to form a young women's class and a 
young men's class, or the married members 
18 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

forming a separate class from those who 
are unmarried. 

It may necessitate the regrading of the 
class as to age. No class can be success- 
ful to the largest degree when the ages of 
the members vary greatly. Reorganiza- 
tion makes possible regrading without of- 
fending any. The matter is freely dis- 
cussed and voted upon and the rule of the 
majority recognized. Two smaller classes 
where members of each group are about 
the same age is preferable to a larger 
group of greatly varying ages. 

Reorganization may call for a change 
of administration, or it may be the result 
of such a change. In some cases it will 
mean simply the adoption of some new 
way of working that will appeal largely 
because it is new. Young people quickly 
tire of routine, and classes can be kept 
enthusiastic and interested only by fre- 
19 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



quent changes. The idea is that at any 
time, anywhere, under any conditions, re- 
organization may prove attractive and help- 
ful. It may be "the way out" of unfavor- 
able conditions as well as "the way into" 
larger success. A new name, a new set 
of officers, a new aim and new methods 
of working — in short, a new start — these 
may be the means of giving the class a new 
lease on life. No class need hesitate, if 
conditions warrant, to turn in the old 
machine and come out in a brand-new car 
of the latest model. 

Things to Do 

Talk over freely the conditions which 
need remedying in the class, and embody 
these changes in the new constitution. 

Face frankly past mistakes and profit 
bj them in making new plans. 

Consult classes that are succeeding, to 
discover causes of success. 
20 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

When reorganization seems essential, 
consider the sectional plan, or the commis- 
sion form of government, or such other 
form of organization as has been known 
to succeed under similar conditions. 

Talk over the advantages of affiliating 
with a national organization, and then 
present the question to the class for vote. 

Where the class is failing because of 
too great differences in the ages, reorgan- 
ize on a graded-age basis. 

If the class is mixed, and either sex 
thinks it would work better alone, reor- 
ganize as separate classes. 

Bring in workers from the outside to 
present to the class successful plans. 

Incorporate in the new constitution 
such governing ideals as the class desires, 
so that adherence to them may be en- 
forced " constitutionally ,' ' without offense 
to individual workers. 

21 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



HI. 

A LIVE LEADER 

The class that is to keep alive needs, 
first of all, a steady driver — a chauffeur 
that knows his business, can keep his head 
in an emergency, and always has his hands 
on the wheel. This does not mean that he 
need try to be the whole machinery — he 
fails utterly if he makes an attempt of that 
kind; but he does need to be sure that the 
headlights are in " shining " condition, 
that all parts are adjusted properly one 
to another, and that the necessary motor 
power is provided. After that, his work 
is to steer steadily. 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

The importance of right class leader- 
ship can not be overestimated. No one 
has a right to accept the office of president 
of an organized Bible class unless he has 
an appreciation of the opportunities and 
responsibilities which such leadership af- 
fords, and is willing to do his part to make 
the most of them. 

Not all are born leaders, but many can 
study the principles of leadership and ap- 
ply them so intelligently as to make a 
real success of the work. A class is fre- 
quently carried to higher success, and is 
builded on a safer and more permanent 
basis, by one of mediocre ability who 
learns and applies the laws of leadership 
than by one who depends merely upon 
his magnetic personality to make things 
go. No leader need be discouraged at his 
seeming lack of ability, provided only he 
bring to the work a willingness to learn, 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



untiring energy, a spirit of real devotion, 
an appreciation of the bigness of the task, 
and a realization of its possibilities. 

The class leader who is determined to 
steer the class away from the ruts, and to 
keep the class in a live, growing condition, 
knows that his secret of success depends 
upon his ability to get the class as a 
whole to take the initiative in planning 
the work and assuming the responsibility 
for carrying it through. The less he does 
himself and the more he gets others to do, 
the more nearly he approaches the ideal 
leader. To the extent he can get the class 
members to invest themselves in the class- 
work will they be interested; and, once 
interested, things will move, and the danger 
of ruts will be comparatively easily avoided. 

The class leader that is strong in en- 
couraging others to do, alert in checking 
up the work, constant in backing up the 
24 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

workers until it is carried through to a 
successful finish, and quick and genuine 
in his commendation of work well done, 
is the one who puts life into the class. 

It is the leader's part to rouse the inter- 
est of the class in considering the things it 
ought to do, and to keep their attention 
concentrated until definite plans are form- 
ulated to carry out the work. He sees to 
it that important work is not partly dis- 
cussed and then dropped, but is kept be- 
fore the class until definite decisions are 
reached. He studies to learn what the 
class wants to do, and then seeks to draw 
them out in such a way that they commit 
themselves enthusiastically to the work. 
He avoids anything that savors of au- 
tocracy, bossism or domineering; rather 
does he seek to unify and direct the 
work, and keep everybody happy in 
doing it. 

25 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



The leader must keep himself out of a 
rut, if he is to be able to steer his class 
away from them. Part of his work is to 
familiarize himself with best ways of 
working in order to suggest and direct in 
the various branches. He must be prepared 
to train the new workers. He must read 
and study and confer with other workers, 
and so thoroughly throw himself heart 
and soul into his work as to keep his 
enthusiasm steady and warm and con- 
tagious. 

A realization of the importance of his 
place in the class, a vision of the possibili- 
ties opened before him, a willingness to 
give the classwork first place in all his 
planning, a readiness to study and learn 
best methods in all ways possible, an ap- 
preciation of the opportunities of service 
afforded a well-organized class, and a spirit 
of earnest devotion of doing all "as unto 
26 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Him" — these are the essentials of success- 
ful, live leadership. 

"The ideal of class leadership is sym- 
bolized when the leader of the orchestra 
stands in his place at the opening of a con- 
cert, baton in hand. The orchestra leader 
does not dominate the musicians who are 
playing under his direction, although he 
does succeed in communicating a portion 
of his spirit to the individual players. 
The man with the baton is important, but, 
after all, the music is rendered by the 
orchestra. What a great conductor does 
is to call forth from the violins, the cellos, 
the cornets, the horns, the drums, and all 
the other instruments, the richest music of 
which they are capable, the music which 
best blends with the music of all the other 
instruments. 

"The task of the leader is not so much 
to do something to the class, or for the 
27 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



class, or even with the class, but to enable 
the class to do something for itself and 
for others. A leader with a big stick can 
keep a restless class in order, but only a 
leader with a baton can arouse a class to 
the richest spiritual life of which it is 
capable. ' ' 

Things to Do 

As soon after election as possible, call 
together the officers and map out a plan of 
work to be presented for consideration 
and vote at the class business meeting. 

Hold cabinet meetings monthly, just 
before the regular business meeting. Con- 
sult freely and frequently with committee 
workers. 

Have the class work out a standard of 
efficiency. After adoption, bend all efforts 
to attain the standard. 

Be definite in all assignments of work. 

28 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

See to it that the person receiving the 
assignment knows what is expected of him, 
the date when work is to be completed, and 
when and where report of work is desired. 

Check up frequently on all work as- 
signed. Phone, or see personally, chair- 
men of committees in order to "keep tab" 
on how work is progressing. Commend 
heartily work well done. 

Have a definite plan and program for 
the business meeting, wih plenty of busi- 
ness to discuss. Call meetings to order 
promptly. See that things move in busi- 
nesslike order. Avoid wandering discus- 
sions. Keep speakers to the subject in 
hand. Close on time. 

Encourage all committees to keep a 
"jotted down" record of work done and 
bring it to the monthly business meeting. 
Distribute file-cards for these records, and 
keep them on file. 

29 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Keep a note-book in which, to jot down 
items and ideas of classwork which come 
to you from time to time. 

At the Sunday session, use officers for 
such work as is theirs. 

Avoid the critical spirit. Encourage 
the least effort and show an attitude of 
confidence in all the workers, so that they 
may feel assured you expect their best 
service. 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



IV. 

NEW LIFE THROUGH NEW OFFICERS 

It sometimes happens that the class 
officers themselves lack life. When this 
is the case, the class is in great danger 
of getting into a monotonous routine. But 
there are always enough interested work- 
ers in every class to sense this danger, and 
it is their privilege and duty to remedy 
matters. Upon the class as a whole rests 
the responsibility for the kind of leaders 
it chooses. 

When the class realizes the need of 
new leadership, the members should be 
watchful for new leadership material, and 

3 31 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



should not hesitate to make plans for an 
election that will give opportunity for 
democratic choice of a new leader, or of 
all class officers, as the case may require. 
The question is frequently asked if it 
is advisable to change officers at the end 
of the class year, provided the officers are 
doing excellent work. This is a question 
that can be discussed pro and con, and is 
one that can always be answered with "It 
depends." But much may be said in 
favor of a yearly change of officers. New 
brooms do really sweep clean; and new 
officers frequently bring a new sense of 
responsibility, new ideas, new viewpoint, 
new ways of doing things, and freshness 
of spirit, that renew class spirit and life, 
and put "pep" into the work. The new 
interest and new enthusiasm and new zest 
often compensate for better work done in 
a mechanical, routine way. A yearly 
32 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

change of officers makes possible the train- 
ing of a larger number of workers. It 
injects a spirit of wholesome competition, 
each set of officers seeking to make their 
administration outstandingly successful. 
Officers, especially a president, will concen- 
trate effort and time on the work for a 
year and may make a real success of the 
work for that length of time, yet might be 
a failure in a long-drawn-out term of 
several years. A change of officers is 
sometimes the one thing needed to put new 
life into the class. 

Things to Do 

Be on the lookout for new leadership 
material. 

Arrange a schedule of promotion among 
the officers (military style), whereby faith- 
ful and efficient service is recognized and 
inefficiency eliminated. 
33 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Talk over affairs with any officer who 
is making excuses instead of "making 
good"; try to discover the cause of his 
failure, and encourage him to make another 
effort. 

Plan for an automatic "recall" for 
officers who persistently fail to make good. 

Encourage the idea of each set of of- 
ficers making their administration out- 
standingly successful in some one feature, 
while keeping the regular work up to a 
definite standard of efficiency. 

When circumstances demand it, call 
for a special election. 



34 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



V. 

LIVE TEAM-WORK 

Too much emphasis can not be placed 
upon the importance of the work of class 
leadership; but, in placing this emphasis, 
the fact must also be taken into considera- 
tion that the class is a democratic organi- 
zation, dependent for its success upon the 
co-operation of each and every member. 
No class has a right to lay the blame of 
lack of life on the leaders entirely, for 
upon the loyal co-operation of each member 
the real success of the class depends. 

There would be no need of directors of 
work if there were none to do the work, 
35 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



and no leaders can make a success unless 
they have faithful, dependable followers. 
The army must have its leaders, but it is 
the private in the ranks that determines 
and deserves the real glory of the victory. 
And it sometimes happens that the army 
is obliged to go on even when the com- 
manding officer has fallen. And so in 
class life, even though the leaders seem to 
be failing, it is the privilege of any and 
every class member to take the initiative 
and keep things moving. 

The committee chairmen are respon- 
sible for their phase of the work, even 
though the president may be failing in his 
leadership. Each committee worker is re- 
sponsible for the work of that committee, 
even though the chairman himself fails 
to act. If each one feels and responds 
to his responsibility, the class as a whole 
will progress — it is not dependent upon 
36 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

any one personality, but upon the combined 
effort of all. There can be no shifting of 
the responsibility. Each one has a place 
to fill, and only as each one does his part, 
be it small or great, will the class life be 
its best. 

Each one must not only do his part, but 
all parts must work together. Where any 
enterprise is composed of a number of 
working units, each performing a certain 
part of the work, the success of the whole 
must depend entirely upon the harmonious 
interrelation of the various working parts. 
That is obvious. If you were to ask the 
officers of any class if they would like to 
own an automobile with several engines, 
each striving to turn the car's differential 
in opposite directions, they would feel 
that their intelligence had been insulted. 
Yet, often a class is subjected to just such 
a strain. 

37 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



What is wrong? Is it the desire of 
some to outshine the others in the matter 
of individual achievement, even though it 
sacrifices the efficiency of the whole; or is 
it merely a grudging spirit of watchful- 
ness, lest they do the least bit more than 
their office calls for; or is it a fear of in- 
fringing on the rights of others? Perhaps 
it is a combination of all three, with the 
introduction of a fourth element — that of 
irresponsibility toward the whole trend and 
goal of the class. 

Team-work, actuated by the spirit of 
true service, measured by personal sacri- 
fice for the good of the whole, with an in- 
telligent understanding of the goal striven 
for — this is more essential to the success 
of the class than brilliant leadership, and 
this is possible to every class, and for this 
every individual member is responsible. 
38 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Things to Do 

Have each member sign a card stating 
the kind of work he would like to do for 
the class, then seek to give him a worth- 
while task along the line indicated. 

As a class member, accept assignments 
of work with good grace and see to it that 
your part of the work is carried through 
to a successful finish. 

Report progress of work to your next 
higher officer. 

If the chairman of your committee fails 
to act, the members may ask him to call a 
committee meeting. This may be done in 
a way to encourage action and to avoid 
hurt feelings. In some cases, any mem- 
ber may take the initiative and call the 
members together and plan without the 
leader. 

Be on the alert to help committee chair- 
men, whether you are on the committee or 
39 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



not. Pass on any good idea or news or 
plan to the chairman of the committee 
whose work is in accord with the plan. 

Arrange a fellowship supper and have 
each officer respond to a toast, "My ideal 
of a class president, a class secretary, a 
class member, etc." This will arouse the 
most indifferent to consider their obliga- 
tions and will stir them to "make good." 



40 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



VI. 

A LIVE DEMOCRATIC ELECTION 

One of the greatest safeguards against 
a class falling into a monotonous and 
deadly routine is found in the democratic 
form of organization that provides for the 
yearly election of officers, by secret ballot. 
Every class should see to it that its con- 
stitution provides for thoroughly demo- 
cratic elections. More than one class has 
lost its life and ''pep" through its slipshod, 
or autocratic, manner of elections. Much 
should be made of election night. It should 
be well advertised; candidates should be 
chosen at the "primary," and should be 

41 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



announced early; the class policy or plat- 
form of the candidates should be clearly 
understood; the election should be by bal- 
lot, and plans should be made to interest 
all in being present and exercising their 
right to vote. 

Things to Do 

Set election night far enough ahead, 
that all may plan on attendance. Adver- 
tise the night and announce a live pro- 
gram that will attract. 

Eevise list of members. Post list pub- 
licly. Read list for several Sundays in 
succession, asking for corrections. 

Before the primaries, mail to the class 
a revised list of all the active members 
and list of offices to be filled, asking 
members to think over carefully the best 
person for each office. 

Prepare printed or written ballots with 
candidates' names and their platforms, 
42 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

and promote the campaign with zest. 

Have prepared ballots, all the same size 
and same kind of paper. Insist upon use 
of the official ballot and upon all ballots 
being folded the same way. 

Provide the ballot-box and booths, and 
let the voting be secret, ballots being 
marked and deposited as members come in. 

Make the announcement of the vic- 
torious candidates the event of the eve- 
ning, after which impromptu speeches and 
congratulations will be in order. 

Plan for a public installation service 
of the new officers to be held as soon as 
possible after the election. 

Immediately after the election have a 
group picture taken of the new officers 
for use throughout the year. 

Have the president prepare an inaugu- 
ral address to be given at the first class 
session over which he presides. 
43 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



VII. 

A LIVE MONTHLY BUSINESS 
MEETING 

The class business meeting is the start- 
ing-place of all good things for the class. 
It is the heart of all class activity. It is 
an essential to the life of any class that 
aims at true progress. It is the one place 
where the road map is carefully studied 
and plans made to steer the class away 
from the dangerous roads, where the ruts 
are deep and impassable, onto the high- 
way of success. Here plans are discussed, 
ways of working considered, and means 
adopted for the promotion of the work. 

44 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Here it is that every member has "his 
say" about what the class shall do, and 
how it shall be done. 

A live business meeting is a sure safe- 
guard against dullness and monotony. If 
the business meeting is dead, there will be 
no life in the class activities. "How to 
make the business meeting go" is a live 
question that should ever be before the 
class. A business meeting will not run 
itself. When a large business house is not 
making good, the board does not look to 
the clerks or office-boy; it goes to the man- 
ager and his assistants. It is up to the 
class officers to see to it that things do 
"go." 

Every committee chairman and every 
officer from whom a report is expected at 
the business meeting should be written to 
or seen, to make sure that he is ready with 
his report, and that he will be there to give 
45 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



it. It does not do to "trust to luck," or 
to the fact that it is the business of these 
officers to prepare their reports without 
being reminded of it. It is the business of 
the president and secretary to see to it that 
the officers and the committee chairmen do 
their work; and that, having done it, they 
properly report it at the business meeting. 

Each class arranges its business meeting 
program to suit its own needs, but the fol- 
lowing outline may prove suggestive: 

Call to order by the president promptly 
at the hour advertised for beginning. 

Devotionals, by chairman or member of 
the Devotional Committee. 

Reading of minutes by secretary. 

Report of class secretary. 

Report of treasurer. 

Reports of other officers of the class. 

Reports of standing committees. 

Reports of special committees. 

46 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Presentation of bills and action upon 
same. 

Consideration of old business. 

Presentation and consideration of new 
business, including new plans of work, etc. 

Special feature (may be an inspirational 
address, a drill, a debate, a review of a 
new book, music, a class demonstration or 
any other entertaining and educational 
feature) . 

Announcements. 

Adjournment by class benediction, by 
prayer, by singing a hymn or by repeat- 
ing class motto or aim. 

Social and get-acquainted period. 

Things to Do 

Have a definite, regular night for the 
class business meeting, so that members 
can not excuse themselves on the ground 
of "previous engagements. ' ' 

4 47 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Advertise the business meeting, and the 
subjects to be brought up for discussion, 
by means of the bulletin-board, by booster 
post-cards, frequent announcements in 
class, by telephone and in various other 
ways. 

Arrange a printed schedule for a series 
of meetings announcing special features. 

Give out cards, file-form size, to each 
committee chairman, asking him to jot 
down concisely the things which his com- 
mittee has done during the month. Call 
for these to be read at the business meet- 
ing, to be turned over later to the secretary 
for filing. 

Have a planned program. Begin 
promptly, bring things before the class in 
a businesslike manner. 

Encourage live discussion and give free- 
dom for expression of opinions, but insist 

48 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

upon clear-cut decisions. Close at the set 
time. 

Crystallize discussions into definite 
plans of work. See that all assignments 
are clearly understood; set a time for the 
work to be completed, and announce a 
date when report will be expected. 



49 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



VIII. 

NEW LIFE THROUGH VARIETY 

Variety is the spice of life, and it is 
also essential in keeping any class alive. 
Doing things the same old way will kill 
any class. There must be variety of work, 
enough to keep all busy in the kind of 
work which they like to do; committees 
are better changed frequently than al- 
lowed to run along until enthusiasm and 
interest have died. There must be variety 
in plans and ways of working, variety in 
the program of the class session on Sun- 
day, in the business meeting, in the socials, 

50 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

in the committee work — variety puts zest 
into the work. 

Variety in the kind of work includes 
that which ministers to the various needs 
and talents of the class members. Some 
will be musical, and be glad to serve the 
class through this talent; some have social 
graces to be used and developed through 
the classwork; others will have a passion 
for missions which may be given outlet 
and direction through the class organiza- 
tion, and all will need some kind of rec- 
reation and relaxation, which may be found 
in suitable forms of athletics and get- 
together friendly affairs. 

"Something doing all the time, and 
that something different and worth while," 
is the way to keep all interested and at 
work. 

New work, new ways of working, new 
groupings of workers in committees, new 
51 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



ideas, new members — these inject new life 
into a class. 

Thing* to Do 

Plan special days — new members' day, 
old friends' day, neighbor day, better 
class day, flower day, bring-my-pal day, 
memories-of-home day, and others of 
special significance. 

Co-operate with the school in the ob- 
servance of Christmas, Rally Day, Easter, 
Thanksgiving Day, and such other special 
days as the school may observe. 

Divide the class into groups and let 
each group be responsible for putting 
variety into the program of the Sunday 
session of the class. 

Take an inventory of the various kinds 
of talent available in the class and organ- 
ize it for class use. 

Offer the class services for the Sunday 
evening church service — the program to 
52 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

be entirely by class talent, four-minute 
speeches to be a feature of the program. 

Have a five-minute "Pollyanna Talk" 
each Sunday by some member or prom- 
inent outsider on "Why I'm Glad." 

Regroup workers in committees in 
order to bring freshness into all commit- 
tees. 

Plan a variety of activities that will 
utilize all class talent and minister to the 
various interests of the class members. 

Have a suggestion box, class members 
to contribute to it ways of introducing 
variety into class plans and generally im- 
proving the class. 



53 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



IX. 

WHAT LIVE CLASSES ARE DOING 

One way to find inspiration and prac- 
tical help for injecting variety and life 
into class plans is to study how other 
classes do things successfully. 

There are various ways of getting into 
touch with other classes, all of which may 
be taken advantage of by the class as 
opportunity affords. 

Things to Do 

Appoint a committee to visit other 
classes in the community in search for in- 
spiration or new ideas. 
54 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Have the whole class "go a-visiting" 
ohce in awhile. 

Invite committees (or the entire class) 
from other successful classes to visit your 
class business or social meeting and tell 
how they "make things go." 

Arrange a conference of the organized 
classes of the same school, or of the vari- 
ous organized classes of the community, 
and have two-minute reports from each 
class on "the best thing our class has 
done and how we did it." 

Send a class delegate to the county or 
State convention and to the convention 
of the national organization to which the 
class belongs. 

Ask members visiting in other com- 
munities to visit other classes and bring 
home reports. 

Appoint a correspondence secretary to 
get in touch with a few live classes at a 
55 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



distance, in order to discover new ways 
of working which are adaptable to the 
class. 

Appoint a committee to keep a scrap- 
book of ideas and workable plans clipped 
from method-help papers. 

Eead and discuss a chapter of a live 
method book at each business meeting, or 
have some one read it at home and review 
it at the business meeting. 

Study the catalogues of publishing- 
houses and see what supplies are furnished 
to help you put new life into your class. 

Read inspirational class histories and 
study their secrets of success. 

Keep a file of method-help publications 
for constant reference. 



56 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



X. 

A LIVE MEMBER 

Occasionally we find a member of a 
class who excuses himself for lack of in- 
terest and effort by explaining, "I'm not 
an officer; I'm just a class member." But 
there would be no need of leaders if there 
were no followers; no need of directors 
of work if there were none to do the 
work. It takes skill and initiative and 
faithfulness and loyalty and readiness, 
and many another fine quality, to be "just 
a class member." 

To be a live member is to contribute 
your best to the class. 
57 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



"If you want to belong to the kind of a class 

Like the kind of a class you like, 
You don't have to pack all your clothes in a grip 

And start off on a long, long hike ; 
You '11 find nothing better than you may have here, 

If you work as you ought to do; 
It 's a knock at yourself when you knock your class ; 

It isn't the class — it's you!" 

Things to Do 

Pledge yourself to regular attendance 
at the Sunday session of the class. 

Be friendly to others in the class, in 
season and out of season. 

Be on hand at every business meeting 
of the class, and take an active part in 
the discussion of plans. 

Accept readily and with willing spirit 
any work assigned. 

Make it a point of honor to carry 
that work through to a successful finish. 
Pledge yourself to "make good" rather 
than to "make excuses." 
58 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Attend social affairs with the idea 
of giving others a good time, rather than 
having a good time. 

Share your good ideas for improve- 
ing the class with various committee chair- 
men. 

Report strangers and "prospects" to 
those in charge of this department of the 
work. 

Give a cordial invitation to visit the 
class to all eligibles, and give them a 
friendly welcome when they come. 

Give, according as God has prospered 
you, to the building up of the finances 
of the class. 

Be prepared to take part in the lesson 
discussions. 

Pray daily for the class. 



59 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XL 

NEW LIFE THROUGH DEFINITE 
GOALS 

There is a challenge about a definite 
goal to be attained within a definite time 
that stirs to enthusiastic action. New life 
has been injected into many a class 
through the setting of new and definite 
goals. A slogan embodying the goal in 
as few words as possible may be used to 
advantage in a campaign of this kind. 

First, a definite goal, then determina- 
tion to make the goal — "100 members in 
100 days." How much greater incentive 
to work there is in a slogan like that than 
60 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

in an indefinite announcement of a 
"membership campaign to increase our 
attendance within the next few months. " 
Consider carefully before setting the 
goals ; but, once set, make them thoroughly- 
known, and stir every effort to attain 
them. As each goal is attained, check it 
off the list and celebrate the victory. 

Things to Do 

Increase the membership 25 per cent, 
within thirty days. 

Secure a 90 per cent, attendance for 
four consecutive Sundays. 

Enlist every member as a tither before 
the end of the year. 

Raise a certain number of dollars in 
the same number of days ; as, two hundred 
dollars to be raised in two hundred days. 

Try a "Do It Twice' ' campaign, aim- 
ing to have a certain high percentage of 
61 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



attendance for two consecutive Sundays. 
Decide on the number to be present, and 
then keep at it until the goal has been ac- 
complished two Sundays in succession. 

Plan a "Double Up" campaign, each 
one to bring "his double" within a given 
time. 

Give each member a "Pollyanna Box" 
in which to put an offering for special 
blessings received — the boxes to be opened 
on a set date and the money used for a 
definite purpose. 

Aim at having every class member a 
Christian and every Christian a church- 
member. 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



XII. 

A VISIBLE END 

Experience goes to show that it is best, 
especially at first, for the class to choose 
such service work as has a visible end — 
the possibility of the accomplishment of 
which lies not too far ahead. In this way 
interest may be kept at high working- 
pitch until the work is accomplished. Sus- 
tained effort is a difficult thing to secure, 
especially in service that calls for volun- 
teer workers, most of whom have many 
demands upon their time. Prolonged 
stretches of effort are apt to become tedi- 
ous to the most faithful worker and tend 
5 63 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



to deaden class zeal. Work that can be 
carried through while the interest and 
enthusiasm are at high pitch, and then 
changed for some new enterprise, is the 
kind that attracts. 

WTien a class task is unavoidably 
long drawn out, new workers may be 
added from time to time to relieve the 
strain, and shorter tasks may be carried 
on simultaneously, entrusted to those who 
are not equal to the more sustained effort. 
Variety in the work, the workers, the ways 
of working, with accomplishment possible 
within a reasonable length of time, gives 
life and zest which lead to real achieve- 
ment. 

Things to Do 

Give a benefit concert, the money to 
be used for some definite, worthy cause. 
Furnish a room in a local hospital. 
64 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Care for a poor family at Christmas 
time. 

Work up the week evening prayer- 
meeting. 

Provide and equip a gymnasium for 
the class or school. 

Beautify the church lawn. 

Give city children fresh-air outings. 

Take a community canvass and follow 
up prospectives. 

Arrange a Sunday afternoon program 
for a local hospital or home. 

Promote and support an evangelistic 
campaign among the young people of the 
church with the co-operation of the pastor. 



65 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XIII. 

LIVE CONTESTS 

Contests are especially effective in 
rousing a class that is sinking into 
lethargy. There is a definiteness about a 
contest that appeals, and if it is rightly 
planned and rightly officered, so that all 
hands are on the lever, it will start things 
moving and keep them going, and put new 
life into the class. 

There are almost as many kinds of 
contests as there are classes; so a class 
need never lack variety for new ideas in 
promoting a contest. The secret of their 
appeal is that they generate wholesome 
66 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

rivalry, they interest the whole class, they 
set all to work, and they place the respon- 
sibility for success upon each and every 
member. By means of them a class can 
improve lesson interest, double class mem- 
bership, break up irregular attendance, 
raise large sums of money, or attain any 
other worth-while goal. They make at- 
tractive and inviting work that would, 
under ordinary circumstances, seem ardu- 
ous and tedious. Class contests commend 
themselves because of being uniformly 
successful in getting results. 

But a contest, like every other good 
thing, has to be worked. It will not work 
itself. Some essentials to success in pro- 
moting a contest are: 

A worth-while goal, clearly denned. 

Accuracy in records. 

Live advertising. 

Wide-awake leaders. 

67 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Publicity of progress made from week 
to week. 

CeJebration of victory. 

Things to Do 

Try an "Each one bring one" cam- 
paign. 

Follow it up with, an attendance con- 
test. 

Try a triangle contest, dividing the 
class into twos, each two to bring one, 
making the triangle complete. 

Divide the class into the army and 
navy, and organize a contest along mili- 
tary lines for new members or better 
attendance, or both. 

Consult other classes for contest ideas 
that have worked successfully. 

Study the catalogs of publishing-houses 
for new contest ideas and for helps pro- 
vided to make contests a success. 
68 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Appoint a member to keep a file of con- 
test ideas, collected from various sources, 
and draw upon this when planning a con- 
test. 

Offer a reward to the member offering 
the most unique and practical contest idea. 

Arrange the class into groups, to see 
which one will raise a certain amount of 
money for the, class within a given time. 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XIV. 

NEW LIFE WITH NEW MEMBERS 

New members mean new life. Go after 
them. Get them. "Every once in so 
often" every class ought to make a sys- 
tematic effort to secure new members, and 
all the time ought to be alert to secure 
those which are near at hand — just wait- 
ing for an invitation to join. 

Strangers in the community may have 
a store of energy and new plans and fiery 
enthusiasm — just looking for some place to 
utilize it and to direct it into practical 
channels. The history of many a live class 
dates its success from the day that "so and 
70 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

so" joined the class and set things mov- 
ing. Keep all eyes open for new members, 
and, once secured, give them full op- 
portunity to put their new life and new 
enthusiasm into class plans. 

Things to Do 

Watch the church service for pros- 
pects. Have a committee whose business 
it is to get the names and addresses of 
these and follow them up. 

Take a systematic survey of the board- 
ing-houses. 

Get the name and address of any visi- 
tor in the class and follow him up, calling 
on him, phoning him, sending him class 
literature, and otherwise assuring him of 
a friendly interest. 

Keep a notice in front of the church, 
assuring a welcome to all strangers. 

Try the Smith plan, a different class 
member calling on the stranger or pros- 
71 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



pect every day in the week, the seventh 
member calling for him on Sunday to 
bring him to class. 

Advertise the class with bulletins in 
hotels, railroad stations and other public 
places, and make good use of the daily 
newspapers. 

Keep track of new families moving into 
the neighborhood of any class member. 
Visit the family promptly and find out 
about their church preference. 

Plan a series of "Everybody's Wel- 
come" social affairs and see that all "pros- 
pects" are invited. 



72 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



XV. 

LIVE ADVERTISING 

"It pays to advertise.' ' Every live 
class has discovered the truth of this 
slogan. The main reason for advertising 
is supposed to be to let others know of 
the good things the class possesses, but 
there is really a bigger purpose in class 
advertising. It reacts helpfully upon the 
class, proving a strong incentive to best 
effort. To advertise is to be stirred to 
do something worth advertising. After 
the advertising matter is out before the 
public, there is just one thing to do, and 
that is to "make good." The class that 
is in a state of lethargy can be quickened 

73 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



into new life by the right kind of adver- 
tising. Begin to advertise and watch the 
results. 

Things to Do 

Use the church bulletin-board and the 
church program for announcements. 

Have a class bulletin-board in the 
classroom where notices are kept posted. 

Select a class slogan and use it on all 
advertising matter. 

Put a framed invitation in hotel lob- 
bies, railroad stations and other public 
places. 

Advertise on fans, blotters, calendars 
or other articles suitable for distribution 
among the public. 

See that a well-written news note, de- 
scribing attractive class affairs, is sent the 
newspapers promptly, varying the notices 
for the different papers. 
74 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Use the newspapers for paid advertis- 
ing space and for free notices. 

Try booster post-cards, attractive class 
stationery and various other kinds of 
printed matter. 

Make attractive posters. Colored pic- 
tures from magazines may be used effec- 
tively for decorating these. Display posters 
in shop windows, on school bulletin-boards 
and other conspicuous places, especially 
places where young people congregate. 

Send a write-up and photo of your 
class to the local newspaper and to church 
publications. 



75 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XVI. 

NEW SOCIAL LIFE 

No class can be at its best except as it 
develops the social life of the class mem- 
bers. By social life is not meant a mere 
bringing of the class together for a good 
time or entertainment, but affording that 
social contact so essential to the expres- 
sion of our best selves. The development 
of the get-on-well spirit among the mem- 
bers of various committees as they plan 
the work, the forgetting of self in the de- 
sire to make others have a happy time, 
the cultivation of the graces of hospitality, 
of good fellowship, of brotherly kindness, 
76 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

the flow of soul, the mingling of kindred 
spirits, the birth of true, genuine friend- 
ships that grow more precious with the 
passing years — these are the permanent 
results of the temporary social gathering. 

If the social life is kept at its best, 
expressed in the Sunday session by a glad, 
fine spirit of friendliness, in wholesome 
recreation and entertainment, and in the 
daily life contact by a fine, true brother- 
liness — the class will never lack life. 

The best talent may well be placed on 
the social committee, for the class without 
social life can not attain its best. But 
because the social interests of the class 
are among the most important, and are 
the ones which make the most general 
appeal to the members, it is not wise, nor 
for the best interests of the class, for a 
so-called standing Social Committee to 
monopolize all the social work. 
77 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Many classes find that the surest way 
to avoid routine in the social life of the 
class is by means of frequent change of 
the committee, arranging to have different 
groups responsible for the different social 
affairs. This creates a healthy spirit of 
rivalry, calls into play new and latent 
talent, and makes for interesting variety, 
such as is not possible where the same 
group plans all the socials. These groups 
may be arranged alphabetically, accord- 
ing to birth months, or in other interest- 
ing ways, so that every member of the 
class will have at least one opportunity 
a year to help in the planning of a class 
social affair. 

Things to Do 

Group the class by some practical plan, 
each group to be responsible for a class 
social. 

78 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Arrange a social program for three or 
four months at a time; have this printed, 
announcing the names of those in charge, 
the date and place of meeting and the 
special features. 

Plan a stunt night. After guests ar- 
rive, arrange in groups, each group put- 
ting on an original and impromptu stunt, 
anything from a charade to a lively debate. 

Plan entertainments, farces, debates, 
musicals and other similar affairs, where the 
class talent is developed, the social life 
promoted and the audience is entertained. 
If admission is charged, be sure to give 
value for value received. 

Take advantage of the seasons and 
special days of the year to arrange social 
affairs. 

Have several class "annuals," such as 
a class banquet, class picnic, class home- 
coming. 

6 79 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XVII. 

A LIVE SERVICE PROGRAM 

As service is the secret of abundant life 
in the individual, so is it the secret of 
fruitful; abundant life in the young peo- 
ple's organized class. When the spirit 
of service fully takes hold of the classi 
and permeates it through and through, life* 
will abound. 

Service means thought for " others,' ' 
and "others" means, first of all, those 
bound to us by natural ties. A class is 
sometimes criticized for giving most of 
its time to "its own interests," but to do 
so is natural and right, and is not selfish. 
80 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

If each class takes thoughtful care of its 
own group, looking after absentees, bring- 
ing in new members suited to its personnel, 
providing wholesome social life and recre- 
ation for those within its circle, and devel- 
oping the devotional life, the school, as a 
whole, will prosper and grow. It is a 
case of each one building over against his 
own part of the wall. For one group to 
do the work which rightfully belongs to 
another is to weaken that other through 
robbing it of its rights and making it 
easy to shirk its responsibility. 

A class has been known to be so busy 
with some welfare work outside its own 
province as to be blind to the needs of 
one of its members passing through a 
tragic experience. Organized charities 
could have handled the welfare case, but 
only the class was in a position to help 
that needy member. Care should be ex- 

81 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



ercised in calling "selfish," service work 
which is close at hand and rightfully be- 
longs to the class. 

While this is eminently true, there 
must be a natural increase in the spirit 
and field of service, and there will always 
be plenty for a class to do within and 
without its circle, which becomes peculiar- 
ly its own work. It is all-important that 
service work should grow naturally, and 
not be forced. It begins at home. As the 
class learns to care for its own, to be 
kindly considerate of each other, its vi- 
sions and interests will grow naturally, 
and, with right directing, will expand 
until they reach around the globe. The 
important thing is to settle on some form 
of helpful service, simple, definite, attrac- 
tive, one that fills a real need. To find 
work for the class to do, merely to keep 
it busy, is to kill all enthusiasm and in- 
82 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

terest; the work itself must appeal as 
necessary — a work for which the class 
feels its own responsibility. 

Work which the class chooses will 
arouse far more interest than that which 
is imposed upon the class. A study of the 
needs and conditions by the class until it 
feels its responsibility and decides to meet 
it, will assure interest until fulfillment. 
"Do something for somebody quick'' is 
the advice given to any one who is having 
a fit of the blues from thinking too much 
of his own troubles. The advice is equally 
applicable to a class that is in need of 
new life. 

Things to Do 

Take special interest in, and care of, 
the sick, the lonely, the tempted, the weak 
and the needy within the class circle. 

Discover some general school need 
which the class can supply. 

83 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Adopt some definite work for the 
church, consulting with the pastor as to 
the need. 

Visit a local hospital or home for or- 
phans or elderly folks, and see if there is 
any need the class can supply. 

Adopt a war orphan. 

Get in touch with the department for 
utilizing waste material of the World's 
Sunday School Association, and learn what 
foreign missionary needs the class can 
meet. 

Correspond directly with a missionary 
and help to supply his or her needs. 

WTiere possible, have a missionary visit 
the class and tell of the work being accom- 
plished, as well as the needs of the field. 



84 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



XVIIL 

NEW LIFE THROUGH A LIVE 
DEPARTMENT 

The organized class is the unit on 
which the Young People's Department is 
built. As soon as there are two organized 
young people's classes in any school, a 
Young People 's Department can be formed. 
A. department rightly conducted may be 
a vital factor in building up live classes. 

The department is self-governing — 
electing its own officers and conducting 
its own affairs. A department program 
of work is planned tending to correlate 
the work of all the classes. This encour- 
85 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



ages initiative and originality on the part 
of each class, at the same time unifying 
the program of all classes. Only in this 
way can largest work be accomplished, 
and protection be afforded against over- 
lapping of plans and duplication of effort. 

In smaller schools the Young People's 
Division takes the place of the Young 
People 's Department. The Young People 's 
Division is composed of the Intermediate, 
Senior and Young People's Departments. 
It is self-governing and is conducted on 
plans similar to any department large 
enough to be organized separately. There 
is always an adult adviser, but all the 
other officers are elected from among the 
young people themselves. 

Among the committees for a live 
Young People's Department are the 
Inter-class Committee, Church Committee, 
Inter-church Committee, and such others 

86 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

as will be necessary for the carrying out 
of the program of work which the depart- 
ment may adopt. 

All the young people's classes come 
together in the Young People's Depart- 
ment for the opening services. These ser- 
vices, when rightly planned and con- 
ducted, are inspirational. It is generally 
accepted that it is advisable for the indi- 
vidual classes to have their own closing 
services. The advantages of forming the 
organized young people's classes into a 
Young People's Department are self-evi- 
dent, and, if the school has not one, any 
class may take the initiative in organiz- 
ing such a department. 

Things to Do 

Talk over with the superintendent, or 
present at the Workers' Conference, the 
plan of organizing a Young People's De- 
partment. 

87 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Call a meeting of all the organized 
Young people's classes of the school to 
consider organizing a Young People's 
department. 

When organization is decided upon, 
draw up a constitution, elect officers and 
appoint committees. 

Choose officers from among the young 
people themselves and select a capable 
adult adviser to work with the officers. 

Make a list of all the activities in 
which the classes are now engaged, to be 
presented to the Inter-class Committee. 
With this as a basis, map out a well- 
rounded program of activity. 

Introduce variety into the opening ser- 
vices of the department, utilizing all pos- 
sible class talent for this. 



88 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



XIX. 

NEW LIFE THROUGH COMMUNITY 
CO-OPERATION 

A class often lacks life because it lacks 
vision. A self-centered class can not exist 
long. The class that is truly alive must 
recognize community needs and must so 
co-operate with other classes as to prac- 
tically promote a community program of 
service. In every community there is 
work to be done which no class can do 
alone, and yet which is distinctly the work 
of some organization of the church, and 
usually can best be done by the organized 
young people's Bible class. The best 
means of bringing about community co- 
89 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



operation is through, forming a community 
federation of organized young people's 
Bible classes. A class often takes on new 
life through joining such a federation. 
The purpose of the federation is to for- 
mulate a community program in the pro- 
motion of which all classes co-operate. 
The work does not interfere with the 
local work of the class or school. It 
merely enlarges the vision and unifies the 
program and concentrates the strength 
of all in places of community need. 

A federation of classes ought not to 
meet too frequently, probably not oftener 
than two or four times a year. The fed- 
eration keeps in touch with the classes — 
suggesting, helping, encouraging and in- 
spiring. Many a class has found the new 
life of which it has been in need, through 
joining a community federation of organ- 
ized Bible classes. 

90 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Things to Do 

If there is already a community fed- 
eration of classes, join it. 

If not, seek to bring about such a 
federation. Take the initiative in calling 
together all the young people's classes of 
th ecommunity for a meeting to consider 
federation. 

Call all the organized young people's 
Bible classes in the school together for a 
rally or banquet. 

Have some one familiar with federa- 
tion work tell of successes attained in 
other communities. 

Make a survey of community needs and 
problems that can be met and solved by 
young people's classes. 

Assign definite tasks to classes and 
ask for definite reports within a given 
time. 



91 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XX. 

A LIVE SUNDAY SESSION 

The Sunday session is the heart of the 
class. Here is generated the power for 
all class activities. This is the real class 
attraction. Activities which spring from 
any other motive than the desire to serve, 
to give practical expression to the deeper 
feelings and aspirations aroused in the 
class session, are ineffective. 

Without a Spirit-filled class session, 
all other efforts are in vain. Activities 
may prosper for awhile, but they will 
lack vitality and will soon die. The class 
session is the foundation of permanency 
for all class activities — even for the very 

92 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

life of the class itself. It is all-important 
that the Sunday session be kept free from 
anything that savors of routine. 

Many elements enter into a successful 
class session. A program that is carried 
through promptly, music that is led with 
vim and zest, songs that are appealing 
and singable and have the true spirit of 
worship, reports such as are necessary 
(given concisely), a surprise feature each 
session, due time allowed for the lesson 
conversation, open discussion of practical 
questions growing out of the truths of 
the lesson, a fine devotional spirit, friend- 
liness (with a capital "F") — these are a 
few of the essentials of a live class session, 
the greatest of which is the Bible lesson. 

Things to Do 

Have a special "surprise" feature each 
session, appointing different committees 
to be responsible for providing the surprise. 
93 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Have plenty of good music, an or- 
chestra by class talent, if possible. 

Secure a live leader for the singing. 
Choose songs in keeping with the lesson 
and such as develop a spirit of true wor- 
ship. 

Make announcements and reports clearly 
and concisely. 

Call for, and act upon, such notices 
as can not wait for consideration until 
the next business meeting. 

Keep the class posted as to progress 
being made in all directions, by brief, 
newsy, interesting reports, attractively 
announced. 

Let the president preside, the secretary 
take care of the records, the treasurer of 
the money, the various committee chair- 
men of their special work, the teacher com- 
ing to the front only during the lesson 
period. 

94 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Put every member on the " Glad- 
hand' ' Committee and cultivate the friend- 
ly spirit in season and out of season. 

Give " color' ' to each Sunday by giving 
it a special name and arranging a program 
in harmony with it, as Flower Sunday, 
Visitors' Sunday, Old Songs Sunday, and 
such others as will meet local needs and 
make special appeal. 

Let members take turn in conducting 
the devotional feature of the program, en- 
couraging originality and variety. 

Allow nothing to interfere with the les- 
son period. 



95 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XXL 

THE LESSON ATTRACTION 

What is the secret of the lesson that 
attracts and holds and interests and helps 
and inspires? 

First of all, it is a Bible lesson. To 
substitute any other book as a text-book, 
no matter how helpful the book may be, 
is to defeat the very purpose for which the 
class exists. In this day, when programs 
of social service are being offered on all 
sides, the temptation to substitute the 
study of these subjects for Bible study 
presents itself. This is often done on the 
plea that such study is more "practical." 
96 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

But let not the class be led astray here. 
No true service will ever be rendered 
humanity except by those whose hearts are 
nourished by the Bread of Life. No great 
problems in business, social, civic or indi- 
vidual life will ever be settled right except 
as they are settled in the light of the truths 
revealed in the Bible. Members of a Bible 
class have a right to expect the Bible to 
be the text-book. 

There may, and should, be freedom in 
choice of the course of study, the one con- 
dition being that it be a Bible course. 
Many instructive inspirational courses are 
offered. If the class is very large, and 
group teachers can be secured, several 
courses may be used according to the in- 
terests and needs of the students. 

A vital principle of success in teaching 
young people in a Bible class is one where 
97 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



the co-operative spirit prevails, where the 
members have the larger share in the les- 
son discussion. Some classes build their 
activities on the co-operative democratic 
plan, but fail to introduce it, where the 
need is supreme, in the lesson hour. The 
old plan of the teacher " doing it all" is 
as out of harmony in the lesson plans as 
it is in relation to all organized Bible-class 
activities. 

The modern-day classroom which 
proves the real attraction to thinking 
young people is no longer a place for the 
teacher to display a brilliant array of 
knowledge of facts of the Bible. It be- 
comes a sacred workroom, where the mem- 
bers talk over together the deeper things 
of the Spirit and gain courage to meet the 
testing experiences of every day. 

There is no greater need in the world 
to-day than incentive to right living. 
98 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Wills are weak, consciences are dulled, 
purpose is fickle, passions are strong — 
the greatest struggles are those fought on 
the battlefield of the human heart. And 
mark it well, there is no organization in 
existence that has for its supreme pur- 
pose the giving of spiritual help for life's 
problems, except the church and its vari- 
ous devotional and study organizations. 
If the class fails in this, it fails utterly. 
And the surest way to meet this need is 
by means of the co-operative, or conver- 
sational, method of lesson discussion, 
where members find needed help in the 
light of other persons' experiences and in 
the light of the truths revealed in the 
Bible. 

A lesson lecture may send members to 

sleep, or set their thoughts to wandering; 

a learned exposition may be over the heads 

of the majority; one person's interpreta- 

99 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



tion of the lesson may antagonize; a text- 
ual question-and-answer method may 
frighten members away who do not want 
their technical ignorance revealed, and 
any of these methods may tend to become 
monotonous; but a heart-to-heart conver- 
sation on life's problems is a never-ending 
source of variety and fresh thought, and 
it is these problems of vital human inter- 
est of which young people never tire. 

The Sunday session that is co-operative 
and ministers to the heart needs of those 
who come within the classroom doors will 
never lack for members and need never 
fear lack of interest, and in this place of 
devotion and fresh knowledge and stimu- 
lated will and renewed desires and con- 
secration is generated the power that 
moves the entire class machinery and 
keeps it steadily advancing forward to 
real achievement. 

100 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Henry F. Cope, in "The School in the 
Modern Church, ' ' clearly expresses the 
new ideal for the young people's class in 
the following paragraphs: 

"In the change in the purposes of the 
teachers lies the very root of the efficiency 
of the modern school for its enlarged task. 
In every class, in every lesson, the pur- 
pose looks toward life and society. The 
Bible is used as a means. The teacher 
does not teach the Bible ; he teaches per- 
sons. He does not teach about the Bible; 
he teaches life by means of the Book, 
which, above all other literature, steadily 
takes life in religious terms. 

"When we come to young people, what 
a refreshing change this new point of view 
effects! The class that used .either to 
listen to a sermon by the popular talker, 
called a teacher, or to spend its hour in 
heated discussion over doctrinal subtleties, 
101 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



now takes a look at the world in which it 
lives through the eyes of prophets of 
righteousness and through the eyes of the 
Son of man. 

"The subjects, too, are such that they 
are bound to lead to programs of action. 
The class, in the light of the realities of life, 
in view of the degree to which they fall 
short of the ideals which Jesus presented, 
and for which we pray, can not long sit 
contemplative or be content with discussion. 
There is work to be done, and the class 
turns to learn how to do that work. 

"The practical studies lead to prac- 
tice. The school reaches out into the 
realities of present-day life. And so the 
phrase ' expressional activities' comes to 
have a new significance; it stands for all 
those forms of activities which inevitably 
grow out of reality in teaching, for the 
living of the life which is taught. 
102 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

"A still more significant change is tak- 
ing place; the class has become a social 
unit, working together in a common task 
or enterprise; the teacher has become a 
member of the group; and the task of 
the group has moved out from the mas- 
tery of certain information into united 
endeavors to accomplish certain pur- 
poses. 

"A class in religion is no longer a lit- 
tle group, either voluntarily, or under a 
compulsion it does not understand, meet- 
ing periodically to study certain fixed 
lessons. It is rather a group, guided by 
the purpose of the school to develop in 
persons the abilities of the religious life, 
and immediately guided by its own desires 
to accomplish certain purposes belonging 
to that life. It is a group co-operating 
in learning through experience the abil- 
ities of the religious life. 

8 103 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



"The first significance of this change, 
at least the one most evident, is the new 
place of the teacher. Formerly, here on 
one side was one who knew and could 
tell; on the other side were those who 
were receiving knowledge. Now all are 
on one side, commonly engaged in dis- 
covery. True, the teacher will know much 
the others do not know — and the class 
will know that the teacher knows — but 
the teacher will so lead and so share in 
the process of learning that he — or she — 
will, with the class, know more and more 
as each step is taken. The members of 
the class will feel that the teacher is 
working with them, rather than on them, 
in a common endeavor to do things and 
thus to know things. 

"The second great significance lies in 
the experience every member of the class 
has in working in a common effort. The 

104 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

class life becomes a social experience. All 
learn to live and work together. It be- 
comes a practical training in the art of 
democratic living under Christian ideals. " 

Things to Do 

Let the class members take turns in 
leading the lesson conversation. 

Exchange teachers with another class 
for a certain Sunday. 

Have a box into which members may- 
drop any written, unsigned question which 
they may have regarding their life plans 
or problems. 

Send a post-card or note to a number 
of members asking each to be prepared 
to express an opinion on the question 
given. Be sure the question is an "ex- 
perience" question closely related to life, 
as well as to a vital truth in the lesson. 

Prepare several practical questions re- 
lating to daily problems, which grow out 

105 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



of the lesson truths, and write on the 
blackboard. Number them and have the 
class call by number for any question they 
would like to have considered. 

Ask members to bring to class one 
"life problem" question that is suggested 
by the lesson story. 

Avoid questions that can be answered 
by "Yes" or "No." So word questions 
as to arouse thought and bring about in- 
teresting, helpful conversation, growing 
out of daily experience. 

Suggest a thought from next Sunday's 
lesson for practical testing during the 
week and ask the class to be prepared to 
relate experiences the following Sunday. 
Connect the experiences closely with the 
lesson story. 



106 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



XXIL 

NEW LIFE THROUGH NEW VISION 

The young people's class is composed 
of those who have vision, those who are 
seeing things to be done and are receiv- 
ing insistent calls to service. In nearly 
every young people's class there are some 
who are seeing the need of teachers in the 
younger departments of the school and 
are hearing the call to "come over into 
Macedonia and help." It sometimes is 
discovered that the teacher of the young 
people's class discourages, rather than en- 
courages, the answering of this important 
call, and some teachers even resent mem- 
107 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



bers of their classes being taken for teach- 
ers, yet among the most valuable service 
any class can render is to send out its 
members as trained workers into the 
school. 

Teachers of young people's classes have 
a right to object to the superintendent 
"breaking into the class" at any time and 
calling for several unprepared members 
to teach younger classes. If the young 
people are to be used as substitute teach- 
ers, a systematic way of choosing and 
using them should be adopted, a plan 
approved by both class and superintend- 
ent. 

But every teacher of a young people's 
Bible class is wise who recognizes when 
the call to teach comes to some of the 
class members, and who provides a way 
for the preparation and training of those 
who have received the vision and the call. 

108 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

The young people's class should have 
the privilege of choosing a teacher- 
training course, if not for the class as a 
whole, for those who desire to become 
teachers. The teacher-training group may 
hold its study class at the regular Sunday 
session hour, but it is preferable to hold 
it at such time as will not interfere with 
the members having the regular Sunday- 
school lesson in the regular class session. 

It is important that those who see the 
need of teachers in the school, and feel 
in their hearts the desire to supply the 
need, be encouraged to prepare them- 
selves, and that they be afforded a definite 
means of training. 

Things to Do 

Have the superintendent, or some other 
general school officer, present the need of 
teachers to the class. 
109 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



Discover those who feel the call to 
teach. 

Encourage those interested in teaching 
to join a teacher-training class, if one is 
already organized. 

If the school has no training-class, 
organize one among those who desire to 
prepare themselves. Select carefully the 
course of study. 

If possible, arrange the time for the 
teacher-training class so that the members 
can also attend the regular Sunday ses- 
sion of the young people's class. 

Consider the members of the class who 
go into the teacher-training class as mem- 
bers of the young people's class, entitled 
to all its privileges of social and service 
life. 



110 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 



XXIII. 
NEW LIFE THROUGH PRAYER 

The most vitalizing influence in any 
class is prayer. Some classes are dead 
for no other reason than they have neg- 
lected to keep in touch with the source of 
life and power. Classes that depend upon 
organization and activity, failing to vital- 
ize these with prayer, can not have true 
life. "We can do more than pray after 
we have prayed, but we can not do more 
than pray until we have prayed.' ' 
Prayer is power; no class can have high- 
est success without it. Prayer in the class 
session, by members as well as teachers, 
ill 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



becomes so vital that none can doubt its 
marvelous efficacy. Here "we leave the 
burden and carry away the song." We 
learn to pray by praying ; only as the class 
members are trained and encouraged and 
given opportunity to pray will they de- 
velop power in prayer. It is not enough 
for the teacher to pray; it is the united 
prayer of the class that is essential to 
abundant class life. 

Things to Do 

Call for volunteers to form a prayer 
circle, members of the circle agreeing to 
pray for the class at a set time each day, 
and to meet for united prayer at least 
once a month. 

Ask the class to bring their "prayer 
problems" to the class, a few minutes each 
session being devoted to helping solve 
these problems. 

112 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

Ask different members to be prepared 
to offer a sentence prayer at the Sunday 
session of the class. 

Encourage short prayers by the many 
rather than a longer prayer by the one. 

Devote a few minutes at a session oc- 
casionally to testimonies on "answered 
prayers.' ' 

Have the class look up and memorize 
a prayer promise each Sunday. 

Read a chapter of some helpful book 
on the subject of "Prayer" at the devo- 
tional session of the class business meet- 
ing. Such books as "Quiet Talks on 
Prayer," by Gordon, and "Prayer," by 
Fosdick, will be enlightening and helpful. 

Have the class collect "prayer poems," 
one member to be in charge of these, and 
use them on occasions when suitable. 



113 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



XXIV. 

THE ONE THING NEEDFUL 

We want our classes to be efficient in 
organization, to be active in social life, to 
be skillful in athletics, to be untiring in 
their various benevolent and missionary 
enterprises, to be on the lookout for new 
members, watchful over the absentees and 
kindly considerate in their relations one 
with the other; but these will be in vain 
unless we make our classes homes in which 
souls are born into newness of life and 
fullness of service. 

We want our classes to be alert to the 
needs of the hour in political and indus- 

114 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

trial reform, quick to plead for better 
laws, ready to federate our organizations, 
to strike death-blows at glaring evils; we 
want to be in hearty sympathy with every 
movement looking to the betterment of 
mankind; but most of all do we need a 
living, contagious faith in a God of law 
and order and love. 

Members must be made conscious of 
the reality of the invisible world; they 
must be inspired to act as if the unseen 
things were real; they must find the posi- 
tive assurance that prayer is a living, 
vital, essential power for individual and 
class life; they must find the peace which 
comes only from the inner knowledge 
that God has a plan for each life, and 
through the various experiences the plan 
is being carried out, all things working 
together for good to those who love God. 
They must know from experience the 

115 



NEW LIFE FOR THE 



power and joy and fullness of a life 
which draws its sustenance from com- 
munion with Christ. 

A Chicago paper, in a recent editorial, 
made this significant statement: "With 
all their scientific and business success, 
American laymen are asserting that they 
want to be assured of God and immortal- 
ity. They want companionship in spirit- 
ual loneliness, comfort in hours of pain, 
courage in moments of moral, wavering. 
Many face the suffering which drives the 
soul in upon itself in its craving for a 
solution for life's problems and seeming 
injustices. At such times nothing but the 
all-powerful God can satisfy.' ' 

Are our classes offering the one thing 
needful? Righteousness, the regal word 
of our class text-book. Rightness, the 
making of a man right with God, right 
with his fellow-men, right for this world, 
116 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S BIBLE CLASS 

right for the next world — this is the 
crowning purpose of the revelation of 
God's love — this must be the crowning 
purpose of every organized Bible class. 

Things to Do 

Have a committee whose main work 
is to cultivate the devotional life of the 
class, to keep the " heart fires" burning. 

Promote the Pocket Testament League. 

Have a " Forward Step" day once or 
twice a year. 

Plan a "Decision Day" whenever con- 
ditions seem to call for it. 

Have the class attend morning church 
service in a body one Sunday each month. 

Make winning each member to defi- 
nite decision for Christ and enlisting in 
Christian service the supreme purpose of 
the class. 



117 



"J 



OT IT 
DOWN" 



(By 
HENRIETTA HERON 

Has 160 pages of valuable help for the 
teacher and officers of the Young People's 
Bible Class, and 116 blank pages to jot 
down important class data. Price, 50 cents 
prepaid. 
Tells you — 

Suggestions for Class Activities. 
Ways of Developing Class Spirit. 
Helpful Books. 

"Good Times' » for Each Month. 
Co-operative Soul-winning. 
Helps for Devotional Chairman. 
What to Do for Welfare Chairman. 
Helps for the Social Chairman. 
Helps for the Membership Chairman. 
Helps for the Class Treasurer. 
Helps for the Class Secretary. 
Helps for the Class President. 
Getting Officers and Committees to Work. 
How to Have Live Business Meetings. 
A Few Parliamentary Eules. 
Program for Business Meetings. 
The Teacher at Work During the Week. 
Sunday Program in the Class. 
Duties of President and Officers. 



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